James Ienello (42)He received nine 'letters' in football, basketball and baseball. He played baseball as a pitcher and shortstop coached by HOF and legend John Certuse. He played basketball and the team won the Class B Tournament and he was the highest scorer. 5'0" - 134 pounds. He played football for four years on offense and defense. He played on all special teams. He scored 3 touchdowns, rushed for 170 yards in the defeat of North Attleboro. The 1941 team defeated Foxboro 45-7. He intercepted a pass, rushed for 242 yards and scored four touchdowns. He was the highest scoring back in Bristol County.
"He would swivel-hip, dodge & slice the sidelines for touchdowns.""Ienello gave fans something to talk about with his swift running." "Greatest individual performer of the season." "He was an athletic atom with his sheer versatile talent." From 1941 to 1946, he was in the United States Army Air Corp. In 1947 he graduated from Dean Academy, playing varsity football, basketball and baseball. He attended North Central College, playing football, winter track and baseball. In 1952 he started Mansfield's Pony League. He moved to Foxboro in 1953 where he coached Little League, Pop Warner football and American Legion baseball. In 1985 he retired as a machinist supervisor from the Foxboro Co. He had 8 children and 25 grand children. Our Hall Of Fame member James Ienello died in 1997. Warren Reed (52)He graduated from Mansfield High School in 1952. He was president of the senior class. He played football on offense [center] and defense. In 1951 he was captain. He was the punter.
Some of the following quotes.1949 - "Outstanding defensive player." "Plays the game w/out relief." 1950 - "Never centered a bad pass all year and played tremendous games as a linebacker" "He also played fullback". 1951 - "He is a thorn in the side of the invaders" "A leader in the Mansfield machine". 1950 & 1951 he was on the All-Bristol County teams. In 1951 he received honorable mention on the Class C All-Scholastic Eastern Mass. Team and the WCOP All-Scholastic Award (The Len Masters 'Schoolboy Sports Parade') He attended Rhode Island School of Design. From 1960-1965 was a member of Mansfield Housing Authority. He was a selectman from 1966-1968 and on the Building Committee at Robinson School Kindergarten. He is Semi Retired in the Architectural/Construction Field. He has been married for 49 years. Kenneth Fallon (65)He played baseball and was #24 in basketball, Co-Captain and MVP. He played football for four years as # 72, on offense and defense.Some of the following Quotes. "He is the meat and heart of the forward wall". "He opened the holes that were needed and always gave a strong performance". He is a fumble recovery expert". 
He received an Associates Degree from Burdett College in Accounting.He is the co-founder of Mansfield's Girls softball. He has been a High School football official for 37 years, college for five years, and Shriners Hospital official for 20 years and has been selected as an official for 12 playoff and Super Bowls. He is a charter member of the Gridiron Club and its first secretary. He is Senior Material Planner for Waters Corporation in Taunton. With him this evening is His brother Kevin (HOF), his coach and friend Bill Sullivan (HOF), his coach and friend Bob Tartufo, friend George Cruser, friend Tom Cruser (HOF), friend Ron Gentili (HOF), and friend Bill O'Brien. Louis Certuse (70)He was Class President for four years.He played basketball and baseball for four years. Number eleven (11) played football for four years on offense and defense. He was Cocaptain in his senior year. On offense he was a halfback and when needed he played quarterback. He was the punter and received punts. He was a defensive back and came across with' a bevy of key interceptions. 
Some of the following Quotes."A very good scrambler" "Spirited two way player" "Kept the Hornets involved in each game" "Made spectacular catches" He was All Hockomock Safety in 1969. He coached MHS freshman. In 1974 he graduated from Stonehill College with a Bachelor Of Arts Degree In International Affairs. He played football for four years as a strong safety and tailback. He has a rushing record of 184 yards in 18 carries. He was captain in 1973. From 1975 to 1981 he was assistant defensive coach at Stonehill. He is a charter member of the Gridiron Club. His office secretary was instrumental in typing needed information. He is involved in many civic activities. He is a trustee of the Northeast Savings Bank. He is owner of Certuse Adjustments, Inc. David Todesco (82)He played basketball for four years and football for four years. In his senior year he played with a custom-made knee brace. He was quarterback in his freshman year and varsity for three years. Some of the followin2 quotes. "Has solid skills as both a passer and a runner". "He knows how to use audible and his freedom of choice is an exhilarating experience". "He is an effective runner and a game breaking passer". In 1981 he was named MVP of the Thanksgiving game upsetting Foxboro 16-6. He threw for 1,136 yards in his senior year.
He received a degree in Business from Northeastern University.He is a Trader for Fidelity in Boston. With him this evening are his wife Kim, his son Anthony, his daughters Jessica, Julia, Amalia, mother Mary Joan, father John, brother Jack (HOF), brother Andrew, aunt Filomena, uncle Peter DeGirolamo (HOF), aunt Susan DeGirolamo, cousins Michael and Kristina DeGirolamo. Robert Smith (95)Number thirty-three (33) played football for four years.He was AII-Hockomock, MVP defense, All Sun Chronicle, Metro West All Star Football Game for Children's Hospital. Rushing yards-1188, 118 tackles. In 1994 he received the Gridiron Club Gold Helmet Award. 
He attended Western College and played fullback.Attached is Coach Mike Redding's comment: Thanksgiving Day 1994, Mansfield trails Foxboro 1_8 going into the 4th quarter and Mansfield needs a victory to head to the Super Bowl. The answer that day was Rob Smith traps, tosses, dives--anyway we could hand the ball to our senior captain and fullback and let him take over the game. Eleven minutes later Mansfield would take the victory 281.2 and Rob Smith would be named the game's MVP for his performance. Ten Days later Mansfield would dominate Bishop Feehan and win their second Super Bowl in three years. In a program known for smaller and quicker Wing-T fullbacks like Brian Kiley, Tony Forte and John Connell, Rob Smith was the protypical I-fullback who could pound you inside with tough runs and crushing lead blocks. But Rob had the rare ability to take the ball outside on sweeps and options with the speed of a halfback or slip out of the backfield and catch the ball like a tight end. We literally changed our entire offensive scheme to take advantage of Rob's ability to run, catch and block in his junior and senior year. When Rob started his career as a skinny freshman we thought he might be more of a safety and halfback. However, Rob finished his career as one of the best fullbacks and linebackers in Mansfield history with an imposing frame of 6'2, 215 Ibs. Rob's hall of fame career is a great example to our younger players of how valuable hard work, determination and off season commitment in the weight room can be for a player who wants to succeed. Super Bowl Champion, team captain, thousands of rushing yards, dozens of touchdowns, hundreds of tackles--all the result of a tremendous work ethic and a great competitive spirit. Tonight a well deserved induction into the Mansfield Hall of Fame! He is a "finish carpenter". Fred Vallet (95)He played basketball and football for four years.He was selected as Hockomock League Offensive MVP and Boston Globe Division 3 Player of the year 
He graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He played football for four years and in 1998 he set a school record with 22 Touchdown passes and was voted the Most Improved Player. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All Academic Team in 1998 and 1999. He received the prestigious Joseph Zabilski Award in 1999.Attached is Coach Mike Redding's comment: Fred came to our youth camp when he was in middle school and when he started doing things at camp that I had seen Doug Flutie do at Boston College I knew we had something special coming to Mansfield in the years ahead. When Fred arrived he did not disappoint and his teammates quickly nicknamed him "Freddy Franchise" for his ability to lead the team to victory late in the game. We have had some great quarterbacks at Mansfield in the last 20 years but Freddy may have been the best of them all because he could beat you with his arm or his legs. When we threw the ball Fred had great poise in the pocket, the ability to read the defense and his timing on throws was NFL caliber. When we ran the option or bootleg pass Fred was like a tailback with his great speed and cutting ability in the open field. His 50 yard scramble for a touchdown against Falmouth in 1994 has become legendary in a classic game of two Super Bowl opponents that was won by Mansfield 31-28. As competitive and successful as Freddy was on the field, he was just as humble and unassuming off the field. He went on to a great career at Northeastern University and when his playing career ended we were fortunate to have him join our stall as an assistant coach. It was an honor to coach Fred and a thrill to watch him play and his induction this evening is an award well deserved for his outstanding play and leadership as a Mansfield Hornet. He is a Service Sales Representative for the Cintas Corporation. To assist in researching in many areas like future Hall of Fame members, a Gridiron Club Library has been established and we would appreciate receiving any scrapbooks, photographs (especially of the team) or newspaper articles concerning the football team. We would accept them as a donation or for reproducing. We guarantee their safety and return.
|